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Microsoft launches the Zune

Posted Sep 14, 2006 at 12:50PM by Pranav T Listed in: Gadgets Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Points, media player, SYNC, Zune, FM
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Microsoft Zune


Just like we had posted, Microsoft has launched Zune. Touted to be the next iPod killer (How many have we had already?), it did get more hype than the rest of the "iPod killers" simply because it was a Microsoft product. Would it stand a chance? We wouldn't know until the market got to know it better.

Microsoft ZuneSpeculation aside, we did check out the press-release material, and it did seem to look like a helluva good personal media player. We already know the specs of the Zune, but for those who missed the hype, here are they again:
  • Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing- Zune lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device. You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later.
  • Your own personalized Zune- Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
  • Large color screen- Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
  • 30GB player- Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
  • Zune Pass- Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
  • Built-in FM tuner- With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.
Also, every Zune device is preloaded with content from record labels such as DTS, EMI Music’s Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Ninja Tune, Playlouderecordings, Quango Music Group, Sub Pop Records, and V2/Artemis Records.

Microsoft Zune


As expected, Microsoft will be selling songs for the Zune through the Zune Marketplace. And what's more, you can actually use Microsoft Points (also used in XBOX Live!) to buy songs. That's one point to Microsoft. You can also import all your music from iTunes (unprotected only) and Windows Media Player to play on your Zune. The list of supported media is a bit short right now, but expect it to get a bit longer. The different media formats supported currently are h.264, MP3, AAC and WMA.

You can also buy accessories to spruce up your Zune experience. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.Microsoft Zune
  • The Zune Car Pack includes everything needed to hit the road with a Zune device, such as the built-in FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger.
  • The Zune Home A/V Pack enhances your experience in the home through five products that integrate Zune with the TV and music speakers: Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock.
  • Zune Travel Pack is a set of five products designed to keep friends and family entertained on the road: Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.
Now the important question for us is "is it worth it?". Well, let's just say that we were checking out the market for a media player, and this thing has us darn interested. The GUI looks great, and so does the thing itself. The other thing, like we said, is the ability to use Microsoft points to buy music. The presence of WiFi is always welcome, and so is the integration with other Microsoft devices and software.

Sadly, the only thing missing now is the price. We'll have to wait for a bit more for it. Don't worry though, we'll be there to cover every bit of it.

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4 Comments


Sort by:
   by Namaru (Unregistered) - 2006-09-14
 » Cool.
The price has got to be cheaper then the iPod though, but somehow I doubt it.

AND BROWN IS AN UGLY COLOR

   by Advertising -
   by Networkgamer (Unregistered) - 2006-09-14
 » where are the features
I really got to question the features of this thing.So far all ive seen is basic-mediocre features.theres not really much that stands out for example,unless its really heap,like sub-$300 cheap.I mean,take for instance archos new generation 4 PMP's.upto 160gb of storage,or wifi with a touchscreen,IPTV,DVR functionality and bright,crisp 16:9 4.3 inch+ screens,unless you consider the 404 with a 4 inch screen at 4:3.Plus dont forget usb host to transfer anything from anything,anywhere,as long as the device complies with usb mass storage.take that and add a camera attachment and line in video/audio recording and a mic and you have a sweet PMP.theres just not much I see that makes this much different from some other lame-brand PMP.

   by west-one (Unregistered) - 2006-09-14
 » Too Little, Too Late
There is nothing here that really puts it a cut above the iPod, the wifi is a gimmick until there are download stations in music stores.

I agree with Networkgamer, there are better more feature PMPs out there, and for music iPod has already reached saturation point and the Zune doesn't offer enough to draw people into buying yet another player. It's also only a matter of time before a new wide-screen iPod is released probably with bluetooth and wifi (now the battery life has been improved).

   by mike61732002 (Unregistered) - 2006-09-15

I agree with "west-one". The term "ipod" is so internationally known that people call mp3 players which arent even made by apple, ipods! Apple gets major publicity for their ipods every single day by ordinary people like ourselves. For a company to really be able to take on Apple in the portable audio player scene, they would have to make their product cheaper but also better than the ipod. But still, I still have some doubt in that theory due to the extreme, seemingly never ending, popularity of the iPod brand. Another thing, in some places people who dont buy the iPod brand look like cheapasses lol... but thats only in some places such as the schoolyard. Another major bonus for Apple is that it owns the most popular legal music download service! With the songs bought off this service only playable on APPLES iPod! Quite Frankly, in my opinion, the Zune is going to crash and burn in the long run (as it will sell a few players).



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